Secret to Losing Weight Permanently

God created us to be purpose driven. In other words, our natural inclination is to operate with an intent a
motive, so to speak.

The Bible gives us a number of examples of men and women who did extraordinary things (whether for good or evil) in order to fulfill a purpose or reach a goal. Jacob, for instance, worked 14 years for the deceitful Laban in order to marry the woman of his dreams (see Gen. 29). He had a motive (espousing the lovely Rachel), which served to motivate him to work an extra seven years to accomplish his objective. It is human nature to operate with a purpose and not wander about aimlessly. The majority of things we set out to accomplish are done with a motive. This is how the Lord created us, and this attribute of mankind extends to every aspect of our living and influences our spiritual as well as our physical lives.

It applies even to weight loss. Most people who set out to lose weight have a specific motive for doing so. Maybe the class reunion is fast approaching and you're determined to be only 10 pounds heavier than when you graduated, not 50. Or you may have booked a Caribbean cruise and simply refuse to slip on a bathing suit without first firming up and slimming down.

Is there a wedding coming up? How about a family portrait? Whatever the case may be, all too often our motivation for losing weight is simply the desire to change our outward appearance.

But remember Proverbs 31:30 tells us "charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting" (NIV). So if your objective for losing weight is only to enhance your looks, please take my advice: reconsider your motive.

Vanity Is Not a Virtue

Don't misunderstand me—there is nothing wrong with wanting to look good. After all, Queen Esther received a year's worth of beauty treatments before going into the royal chambers to visit the king (Esth.

JUST WATCH AND PRAY

As home keepers, our eyes must always be on our homes and our knees must be busy in prayer. Jesus counseled his disciples to watch and pray seeing that the time they were in was very challenging and that they will need God’s grace to overcome. We are in challenging times and we need to be super-watchful at home.

What does ‘watch’ mean? It means:

• To look at or observe attentively
• An act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time

We need to observe things carefully and pay much attention to what happens in our homes. One thing is being available to see and the other is carefully paying attention to what goes on when we are right there at home. Know exactly what happens from when your family members wake up till when they sleep. Check on the children even while they are sleeping.

Concerning the woman of proverbs 31, the bible says ‘she carefully watches everything in her household’ - Proverbs 31:27. The good news is that God gives his daughters grace to watch over the home. The issue is: Are we walking in that grace? Every daughter of God has the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God can help you uncover the deepest secrets; He knows all things because He searches the mind of God. Many disasters, disappointments, troubles etc. will be averted if we depend on the Holy Spirit to run our homes. When we watch, we will nurture great potentials in our spouses and children and we will stop the mouth of lions from devouring us.

What can help us watch our homes?
• In this season of prayer and fasting, ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart and reveal himself more to you
• Study the word of God – it naturally makes your heart more inclined to Gods counsel
• Be available to see what is actually going on in the home. Make spending time with the family a priority for 2014
• Pay attention to the things you see, don’t just sweep them under the carpet.
• Pray unceasingly about what you observe, take advantage of this season of prayer

As we do this, the good Lord will overtake our homes and establish us as more than conqueror in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen

-By solid rock pple.

Doves released in the Vatican as a gesture of peace are immediately ATTACKED by vicious seagull and crow

Two white doves released by children standing alongside Pope Francis as a peace gesture yesteday were attacked by other birds.
As tens of thousands of people watched in St. Peter's Square, a seagull and a large black crow swept down on the doves right after they were set free from an open window of the Apostolic Palace.  One dove lost some feathers as it broke free from the gull. But the crow pecked repeatedly at the other dove. It was not clear what happened to the doves as they flew off.

While speaking at the window beforehand, Francis had appealed for peace in Ukraine, after at least three people were killed during the latest clashes in the two-month crisis.

Police and demonstrators in Kiev fought again as protests against President Viktor Yanukovich's abrupt turn away from the European Union towards Russia, Ukraine's former Soviet overlord.

‘I am close to Ukraine in prayer, in particular to those who have lost their lives in recent days and to their families,’ Francis said in his weekly Angelus in St Peter's Square.

‘I hope that a constructive dialogue between the institutions and civil society can take place, that any resort to violence is avoided and that the spirit of peace and a search for the common good is in the hearts of all.’

See more for photos below:

Natural creatures act naturally to satisfy natural needs, Its just survival the fittest!!!

Natural creatures act naturally to satisfy natural needs, Its just survival the fittest!!!
Culled from: dailymail.co.uk

Prayer for New Week

Declaration of new levels of favor for you, new doors of opportunity, God is breaking you free from limitation and discouragements; He is taking you to a new and higher level. It is not over yet until God says it’s over; so, keep pressing forward. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Failure is not your portion, God by His grace and mercy is taking you higher, and moving your life forward. Yokes of financial limitation, debt, hardship, joblessness, stagnancy and delays shall be broken. God shall restore that which you have lost in years in the name of Jesus.

I decree the unmerited favor of God and healing upon your life and destiny. Regardless of your location, position, situation or circumstances right now, God will bring you out of the pit of shame and place you on higher ground. God will turn your mess to a message, and your disappointments will become a point of divine appointment. You may be at a low point right now, or situation may be very discouraging; it is not over yet. ”For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” You will rise again, you will have favor with people, and you will prosper in all that you lay your hand on in Jesus mighty name.

Happy new week folks from us ASB-WORLD

Mata Pens a Unique Open Letter to Chelsea fans

Mata & new manager. Image from Man Utd via Getty Image.

His departure from Stamford Bridge brought to an end a stellar two-and-a-half year stay for the Spain international who enjoyed a rich relationship with the club's fans.

The 25-year-old heads north as a Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup winner and despite heading to a club Chelsea fans considers as bitter rivals, he wrote a letter to them to explain the move.

Here, we pick out some of the choice quotes from his lengthy goodbye.

- Thanking the fans

"This letter is written from my heart, and first of all I would like to say that I will never forget all the affection given to me by the Chelsea fans. From the very first day until the last, with your support and affection I have grown up as a player and I have had an amazing time both on and off the pitch. I will always feel the gratitude towards you. Always. No words are enough to give back all the things I have received."

- On winning European trophies to being out of the first-team picture.

"There have been plenty of good moments: the FA Cup, my first trophy as a Blue; the immense happiness of winning titles for the first time in the club's history, such as that magical Champions League night in Munich  and the Europa League... On the other hand, I have experienced some complicated situations from a personal point of view, mainly during the last six months."

- On why he accepted the move to Manchester.

"Thank you so much for the way you have treated me, you have been unbelievable. I hope you understand that after going through a complicated and, for me, new situation in the last few months, I believe this is the best choice in order to carry on with my football career and to keep enjoying this sport. Before last summer, my intention was to stay here for a long time; as long as the club wanted me to, and to keep winning trophies for Chelsea FC.

"However, as you all know, things changed after the pre-season. From feeling like an important player, I started to experience some difficult situations and I felt unable to help the team to the extent that I wanted and was used to. Obviously, I fully respect the circumstances."

- On those he played with.

"I thank all my former team-mates for these two and a half years and I wish them the best, personally and professionally, for the future. Of course I have been closer to some of them, but the most important thing is that my years in Chelsea have left me with great friends."

- On manager Jose Mourinho, who ultimately oversaw his exit.

"(Thanks) to Jose, for making me a stronger player, because in difficult moments, I have learnt to remain positive and to keep working hard. Lastly, I want to thank the club, and in particular its owner, Roman Abramovich, for trusting me and making an important investment when signing me."

Source: independent.ie

Solution To All Problems

TEXT: MATTHEW 9:1-13

Key verse: “...They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matthew 9:12).
Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. He alone possesses the ability to deliver man from the tenacious grip of sin. He also has the power to heal those who are suffering from sicknesses and diseases.

Christ’s power to save and heal is evident in the healing ministered to the paralysed man, and the forgiveness of sin freely offered him. This man, no doubt, attracted the sympathy of his friends; they did their best for him by bringing him to Jesus Christ who alone was equipped to take away all the problems of life. 

Mere sympathies are not usually enough for people suffering from sicknesses and diseases. In fact, sympathizers sometimes have nothing more to offer than words. Christ Jesus is the only One who can offer a lasting solution to man’s problems. Apart from the ability to heal, He also has the power to save from sin.

 

When we are at the crossroads of life and all efforts appear futile and hopeless, our unwavering confidence in God will yield result and our expectations will be met. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world to save sinners. He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power and went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil. No matter how great your trouble might be, whether it is an incurable disease that has defied all medication or a problem that erupted suddenly, Jesus will heal as you put your trust in Him.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Jesus has remedies for all maladies.

Never Be A ‘Dissension-er’

Women are powerful o! They can make or mar you, destroy or build you up! You don’t believe me? Read this story below:

Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.”
And he answered him, “Here I am.”

2 Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. 4 And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it. 6 So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, 7 ‘Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the LORD before my death.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. 9 Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves. 

10 Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death.” - Genesis 27: 1- 10 (NKJV)

We may all be very familiar with the story above. The story of how Jacob swindled Esau of his father’s firstborn blessings. Several interpretations have been given to this story but I would want to concentrate on what Rebecca, their mother, did. She was the one who brought up the suggestion that Jacob should pretend to be his brother Esau. She even gave him good tips on how to go about it. She capitalised on the fact that Jacob and Esau did not see eye to eye, or how else would you explain how Jacob could flow with the idea and not resist it? It’s obvious there must have been some form of rift between them before Rebecca cooked up her plan. But that’s not where I’m going. Rebecca did what most women do not hesitate to do – She caused dissension between brothers!

Dissension is sowing discord, disunity, disagreement, tension, strife etc. Sure, men do this too but have you noticed that it is where women are gathered that it is most prevalent? And of course we have a biblical example to back that up….lol
But seriously, how does God feel about this?

Proverbs 6: 16-19
These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren. (NKJV)

How many times have you seen the word ‘hate’ alongside God? How can a God who is Love personified be capable of hating? It is because He knows the damage discord can bring. He hates the act, and it is impossible to sow discord and be in love. In other words, anyone who causes conflict and strife among brethren (Brethren here meaning God’s people, not necessary a congregation – going beyond the 4 walls of a church) does so with the intention of spreading the bile of hatred, causing dis-unity. Where there is discord, there you can find every evil practice, and prayers can never be answered!
Can I implore of you today - If you are guilty of causing faction, sowing discord for your own selfish gain – 3 words: STOP IT PLEASE! It profits nothing.

 Instead do the following highlighted in the Book of Ephesians chapter 4 (NIV) 2-3: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

May we grow up spiritually to realise that the goal of loving our Heavenly Father who loves us is more important than allowing the ‘little foxes that destroy the vine’ remain in our lives. 

Remember, Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, CANNOT love God, whom they have not seen – 1st John 4:20 (NIV).

-By Dedy